The match started three minutes before the top of the hour with the wrestlers feeling each other out. Bryan went for an early surfboard stretch to target Orton's back, then he popped Orton in the thigh with multiple kick strikes. Orton fought back with kicks and stomps, though. Orton, fired up, played to the crowd as Bryan tried to clear the cobwebs in the corner.

[Q5 -- second hour] Orton started pushing the boundary into DQ territory, prompting the announcers to robotically note Orton is risking a DQ. They caught themselves and joked about Lawler just announcing a No DQ vote for the match. As Orton settled into a reverse chinlock, Cole reset the show, plugging Punk vs. Del Rio in the main event tonight.

Bryan made a comeback with two big corner dropkicks, but Orton escaped a pin attempt. Bryan then ducked a charging Orton, who went flying over the top rope to the outside. Bryan wanted to follow with a suicide dive, but Orton side-stepped and sent Bryan head-first into the floor. Bryan sold intense head pain, then Randy found a Kendo Stick underneath the ring. Orton stalked Bryan before smashing him with the stick. Orton dragged Bryan back into the ring to score a nearfall, then Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 9:04]

Back from break, Orton was still in control of the No DQ match while on the top turnbuckle. Bryan tried to fight back with punches to the gut, drawing "Yes!" chants from the crowd. Bryan then knocked Orton down to the mat and measured him for a double-foot dropkick to the chest. Both men sold the effects on the mat, and continued to sell the effects. The referee checked on both men as they remained on the mat. Bryan seemed to have re-injured his shoulder from Payback last night, as noted by our correspondent at the PPV.

This brought over the ringside doctor to check on Bryan, but Bryan made a comeback on Orton. Orton then kicked Bryan to the outside. The ringside doctor eventually came over to check on Bryan, who tried to tough it out by flying back into the ring, wanting to keep fighting. Orton and Bryan scrapped, then Orton sent Bryan out of the ring to the outside. On the outside, Orton dropped Bryan back-first on the guardrail, not quite in a heelish moment a la Del Rio on Ziggler last night, but close. The referee then consulted with the ringside doctor and decided to call off the match. As a result, Orton won the match.

Post-match, Bryan leaned against the guardrail selling the effects of the match. Orton then seemingly broke character walking over to Bryan to hug him, pat him on the shoulder, and share a few words in his ear. The announcers sold it as Orton showing good sportsmanship and the ringside doctor being there to make sure the wrestlers are safe. Bryan stood up and walked away from ringside, seemingly in shock over the condition of his shoulder, before marching to the back.

[Q6...] Earlier Tonight: Alberto Del Rio turned all-out heel before C.M. Punk confronted him to set up the TV main event.

A.J.-Stephanie Confrontation Segment

In-ring: A.J. Lee's music played to bring out new Divas champion A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston. No Dolph Ziggler. A.J. skipped around the ring before Cole recapped Kaitlyn losing everything last night at Payback. Cole noted Kaitlyn was consoled by Kaitlyn and "some other Divas" last night.

Once in the ring, A.J. noted Ziggler is not here tonight to share in her moment because he's not medically cleared, but he will soon return to share in her celebration. A.J. then noted she played mind-games with Kaitlyn to get exactly what she wants. Lee said there isn't a woman in this audience, in the locker room, or in the whole world who is as strong, brilliant, and courageous as she is. Providing the response was Stephanie McMahon.

Stephanie marched to the ring for a major moment in A.J.'s career. A.J. sarcastically welcomed Stephanie to the ring, then Steph replied that there's a line of Divas ready to get at A.J., but she wanted to talk to her first. Stephanie congratulated A.J. on her Divas Title victory, but wants to know why A.J. is feeding a stereotype about women tearing each other down instead of building each other up. Steph told A.J. to start acting like a champion. A.J. played nice, saying Stephanie is right. "I should be acting more like you," A.J. said. "Instead of dating Superstars, maybe I should marry one." Oohs from the crowd. A.J. suggested they also visit Stephanie's daddy issues. Stephanie cut her off and replied that she expected something more original from Lee.

Lee got fired up, saying that her masterpiece was planning and plotting for months to get at Kaitlyn. Stephanie replied that no one does crazy like a McMahon, so she needs to recognize who she's talking to. She told A.J. to start acting like a champion. A.J. replied that Stephanie is only out here because she sees herself in her, only younger. Stephanie replied that she can take away that Divas Title if she wants to...and make sure she doesn't have a job anymore.

Suddenly, Kaitlyn's music played. Kaitlyn was followed by the babyface Divas on-stage. On the mic, Kaitlyn congratulated A.J., then Stephanie walked up to her and whispered into the microphone never to interrupt her again. Steph said she will give Kaitlyn a pass, though, just this one time.

Kaitlyn, flustered, started walking down the rampway to confront A.J. Kaitlyn screamed about A.J. screwing with her mind, then said it's her turn to humiliate and break Lee. Kaitlyn stormed the ring and the scrap was on. Suddenly, the screen went dark, then WWE showed Big E. Langston picking up A.J. and hauling her away to the back to keep A.J. away from Kaitlyn.

Up Next: Ambrose vs. Kane for the U.S. Title. Was WWE Creative not paying attention during this match last night?

[Q7] [Commercial Break at 9:30]

Did You Know: Smackdown delivered a big Social Media Score. Of course, the TV rating was the lowest of the year and lowest in nearly two years.

In-ring: The Shield's music played to bring out U.S. champion Dean Ambrose through the crowd. How will Vickie Guerrero send a message to Shield tonight? Ambrose hit the ring, then Kane's pyro shot off to bring out the challenger.

4 -- U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE vs. KANE -- United States Title match

As the bell sounded, Cole relayed an injury update that Bryan has "possible nerve damage" following his match against Orton. Suddenly, Roman Reigns hit the ring to attack Kane. Seth Rollins also provided a distraction, then Reigns delivered a big Spear to Kane.

After a DQ was rendered, Shield flashed-back with a big triple powerbomb to Kane. Cole wondered what Vickie will have to say about this. Shield then walked through the crowd to boos, ready to exit for the night.

Still to come: Cole plugged John Cena appearing on Raw tonight. First real mention of the WWE champion tonight.

Backstage: The Shield was shown cockily walking down the hallway before being stopped by Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox. Ambrose taunted Vickie, asking if she's going to spank them on the rear or put them in time-out. Vickie prepared to give a stern punishment to Shield, but Vince McMahon interrupted. He talked up Shield, saying they remind him of himself: ruthless aggression. McMahon sent them on their way, then told Vickie that he never really liked that Halloween-mask-wearing freak (Kane) anyways. McMahon left, leaving Brickie stunned.

[ JC: Clearly, the deal is that whatever Hunter does, McMahon does the opposite of, even if there's no heel/face consistency. And vice versa. Very passive-aggressive. And, perhaps counter-productive for getting heel heat on The Shield, unless WWE is planning to take a different course with the group after their first six-man tag loss on Smackdown last week. ]

Vignette: The Wyatts are coming. This week's new installment featured Wyatt shouting that the world needs men like him. Raw suddenly cut to break.

[Q8] [Commercial Break at 8:45]

The Mark Henry Retirement Teaser shall wait. Back from break, Zeb Colter walked out on-stage. Cole groaned as Colter began talking about the government spying on them, foreigners sneaking across the border, and being at war. Colter said during war, unusual alliances occur. To prove that he and Jack Swagger are not prejudicial, they have decided to align with a man of honor, respect, and integrity, even though he was not born in this country. Colter said this man speaks five languages, including English. Antonio Cesaro's music played and Cole laughed about Zeb being a hypocrite, which JBL argued against. Cesaro declared, "We The People" on-stage before marching to the ring to face...William Regal?

5 -- ANTONIO CESARO (w/Zeb Colter) vs. WILLIAM REGAL

The announcers completely focused on debating whether Colter is a hypocrite for associating with Cesaro as Regal and Cesaro battled in the ring. JBL then noticed Regal in the ring two minutes in. Cesaro applied a spinning reverse chinlock, then cracked his neck, smirked toward the crowd, and hit the Neutralizer. It was good for the win.

Post-match, Colter brought a flag into the ring. Cesaro unfurled the flag, which was the "Don't Tread On Me" yellow flag. Cesaro covered Regal with the flag, then Cesaro and Colter saluted the crowd.

WINNER: Cesaro at 2:44.

Backstage: WWE champion John Cena was shown walking down the hallway. Cena has something to say on the other side of the break.

Video Package: Rob Van Dam is returning. But, he's not 28-years-old anymore, as the video package would have the audience believe. RVD returns at Money in the Bank.

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